It’s high time we Beatt English

The people that are given the chance this weekend to go and play have got a chance to rewrite their own family history and history for Scottish rugby.

Johnnie Beattie

The Scottish back-row’s dad, John, was also No.8 the last time they beat England at HQ, in 1983.

Beattie senior and his old team-mates are having a reunion today and will stay at the same hotel they used 30 years ago.

“The record is something that’s been part of our family history, but when you talk to him and his pals who played in that game they are embarrassed that the record still stands,” said Beattie jnr ahead of the Calcutta Cup clash.

“So the people that are given the chance this weekend to go and play have got a chance to rewrite their own family history and history for Scottish rugby.

“I’d be really happy if I could be part of that.

“If you speak to the players from 1983, they felt they had absolutely no chance and I think most people would give us a slim-to-no chance this weekend.

“We have to be spot on with everything we do. That’s a very tough thing to do in professional rugby but it has to be the aim.”

The Montpellier star is back in the starting line-up after 18 months in the international wilderness.

But the 27-year-old believes he is now a more rounded player.

“At Montpellier, it’s a different style of play,” he said.

“Even the backhand offloads, that look like pure flair, are part of the structure.

“It’s been a complete eye opener because previously I thought it was all natural ability with the French.”